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TROUTT, Nancy Ruth (Stone)

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, for long-time former Chickasha resident Nancy "Ruth" Troutt, 80, of Norman, in the First Presbyterian Church of Norman, 555 S. University.

Interment is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Fairlawn Cemetery in Chickasha.

While she dedicated much of her time to civic and philanthropic causes in Chickasha, Norman, Ardmore and Durant, she devoted 61 years in support of the career of her husband, prominent Oklahoma educator Roy Troutt.

She entertained state, national and international guests from 1975-2000, during her husband's 25 years as president of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha. Together they traveled 28 countries in support of Rotary International, raising funds for PolioPlus and the Rotary Heritage and History International Fellowship, among other causes.

Nancy "Ruth" Stone Troutt was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Fort Worth, Texas. She died Sunday in Chickasha following a brief illness.

Much of her childhood was spent with her uncle and aunt, the late Floyd and Esther Phillips of Durant, Okla., and McKinney, Texas. On May 22, 1942, she married Roy Troutt of Durant.

Ruth Troutt worked behind the scenes to advance educational, church and civic causes during her husband's various tenures, first as a U.S. Navy officer in Washington, D.C. during World War II; then as a coach and administrator in Ardmore Public Schools; then as dean of education and psychology at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant; and, just before their move to Chickasha in 1975, as dean of the College of Liberal Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

She assisted her husband in his numerous civic and charity efforts, but she maintained a roster of her own favorite causes.

She was an active member of Chi Beta Delphian, a local women's social and study club. She hosted various events for the group and chaired its yearbook committee. She also served nearly 25 years in the Sorosis Club, the oldest federated study club in Chickasha, hosting social events and programs. She also hosted district-wide events for both organizations.

She was an elder in the Presbyterian Church USA, along with her husband. They were active in the First Presbyterian Church of Chickasha during their years here, where she served on various committees for events, renovations and ministerial installations. One of her favorite initiatives was to lead special events to honor senior adults on their birthdays and at Christmas.

Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she led decorating committees at the church and the college. She was chairman of Santa's Workshop in its early years in Chickasha, working to broaden community interest and involvement. During the 1970's and '80's, she supported Chickasha's "Christmas in August" party that brought together hundreds of local people to raise funds for school children in Grady County, as well as the cross-cultural "Happy Birthday Jesus Party," a community celebration at Christmas providing holiday food for familes in need.

She served three years as a board member for Southwest Youth and Family Services.

She earned much credit for the interior design of the 1998 renovation of the USAO Student Center, assisting architects and decorators in creating a grand facility enjoyed by the college family, as well as families and organizations across southwest Oklahoma.

During Roy Troutt's service to the U.S. Navy, Ruth Troutt was employed at the 12th Naval District Headquarters. In Ardmore, she served several years as a service representative with Southwestern Bell Telephone. Her longest "career" was 25 years as First Lady of USAO.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Roy Troutt, of the home in Norman, and her sister, Nadine Ballard of Mesquite, Texas. She also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the Dallas area, along with godchildren Valerie Bostwick Jones of Ardmore and David Bostwick of Caldwell, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Dallas Stone and Alma Adams Stone, as well as three brothers, J.D., Clifton and Wesley Stone.

Pallbearers include Jim Dolman of Ardmore, Ron Burton and Don Adkins of Norman, and Charles Scott, Terry Winn and Randy Talley of Chickasha.

Officiating at the service will be Dr. Robert Rice of Norman. Services are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home of Chickasha.

Memorials may be made to the USAO Foundation's Troutt Fund, created to honor outstanding students through scholarships and public service awards. The Foundation's address is 1727 West Alabama, Chickasha OK 73018-5322.